Grave Moments

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21598, 8 December 1941, Page 6

Grave Moments

TASK FOR PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLY REQUESTED PARTY LEADER’S DECISIONS BRITISH TRIP CANCELLED (By Telegraph.—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Monday The Leader of the Opposition, Mr S. G. Holland, has sent a -telegram to the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, urging the assembly of the New Zealand Parliament. The text of his telegram is:— “At this grave moment of national peril, when the lives of all New r Zealanders are endangered, I respectfully urge the immediate summoning of Parliament to consider the best course for ensuring tne security of New Zealand and the Empire Political differences should be dropped and a national emergency Government formed, and all forces, economic, political and industrial, organised on a full war footing to ensure the immediate completion of preparations for New Zealand’s defence.” “In view of the peril of the situation I have decided to cancel my trip to Britain so that I may remain at my post in New Zealand,” said Mr Holland this morning. “In view of the rapid developments and the need for all Ministers to be at their posts in Wellington, I have given instructions for the withdrawal of all oureide speakers, including myself, who were to have taken part in the Bay of Plenty byelection campaign, leaving the contest to the two nominated candidates.” Mr Holland is leaving for Wellington to-night.

PETROL PROHIBITION COUPONS MAY NOT BE CASHED PRIVATE SUPPLIERS (By Telegraph—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Monday The Minister of Supply, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, announced this afternoon that owing to the rush that had set in this morning for supplies of petrol, it had been decided that petrol resellers must not cash petrol coupons Nos. 12 and 13. These coupons are not to be redeemable in the meantime. Resellers have also been instructed not to supply any petrol in containers other than the tanks of vehicles. This prohibition became effective at 2 o'clock. WAR CABINET SESSIONS CONFERENCES WITH STAFFS (By Y-cregrapl).—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Monday Prompt action was taken by the New Zealand War Cabinet after receipt of the news of the Japanese attacks on American bases. The War Cabinet was in session almost continually on Sunday and resumed at nine this morning. In the temporary absence of the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, from Wellington, ihe Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, stated this afternoon that following the opening of the War Cabinet meeting there was a conference for half an hour later with heads of the Government departments concerned in taking the necessary precautionary measures. This conference was followed by a conference with the senior service officers in Wellington. The War Cabinet remained in session until 1.20 p.m. Further meetings of the War Cabinet would be held tonight on Mr Fraser’s return. Mr Nash said the ordinary Cabinet would meet today, when the question of calling Parliament together was likely to arise. Mr Nash added that the usual procedure had been adopted in connection with the Japanese Consulate and a guard had been placed on the Consular officers for protective purposes.

PRIME MINISTER ELECTION TOUR ABANDONED (By Teicarapri.—press Association) GISBORNE, Monday When news oi the Japanese action in the Pacific was received the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, was at Ruatoria, on the East Coast, intending to participate in the Bay o{ Plenty by-election campaign. He announced that in the view oi the very grave situation which had been created he would abandon his tour and return to Wellington. He lelt Ruatoria at about 11 o’clock and will leave Gisborne by special plane at about 3 o’clock.